Paris talks on Ukraine peace fall flat

Following the talks of the four countries’ foreign ministers in Paris on March 3, Russia said it was prepared to support the election proposal presented by Germany and France. But Ukraine quashed early optimism by saying polls would not possible until security was established. Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said Ukraine continues to insist that all commitments for a ceasefire and withdrawal of weapons be carried out before such elections are held. "We must be able to ensure these elections are organized safely; we need our territory to be secure. Without security we can't deliver on anything further," Klimkin added. Kyiv has long insisted there must be a total cessation of hostilities in the country's east. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed frustration after the negotiations in Paris, saying he was "not satisfied with the way Kyiv and Moscow are operating the negotiations.” Beyond the contentious issue of holding elections in the east, the four top diplomats agreed to "the release and exchange of all prisoners and people held in illegal detention between now and April 30," French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said after the talks. They also agreed to establish by April 30 a mechanism to "prevent and settle incidents connected with ceasefire violations," as well as ensure access to the conflict zone by truce monitors."